Chapter 9 Verse 20
Rāja Vidyā Yog
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते। ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान्।।9.20।।
trai-vidyā māṁ soma-pāḥ pūta-pāpā yajñair iṣhṭvā svar-gatiṁ prārthayante te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam aśhnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān
Word Meanings
| trai-vidyāḥ | the science of karm kāṇḍ (Vedic Rituals) |
| mām | me |
| soma-pāḥ | drinkers of the Soma juice |
| pūta | purified |
| pāpāḥ | sins |
| yajñaiḥ | through sacrifices |
| iṣhṭvā | worship |
| svaḥ-gatim | way to the abode of the king of heaven |
| prārthayante | seek |
| te | they |
| puṇyam | pious |
| āsādya | attain |
| sura-indra | of Indra |
| lokam | abode |
| aśhnanti | enjoy |
| divyān | celestial |
| divi | in heaven |
| deva-bhogān | the pleasures of the celestial gods |
Translation
The knowers of the three Vedas, the drinkers of Soma, purified of all sins, worshipping Me through sacrifices, pray for the way to heaven; they reach the holy world of the Lord of the gods and enjoy the divine pleasures of the gods in heaven.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse describes people who follow traditional rituals and sacrifices (the study and practice of the Vedas) and who, purified of sin, pray to reach heaven. Because of their actions they attain the heavenly world and enjoy divine pleasures there.
Philosophically, the verse shows that disciplined spiritual practices and self-offering can cleanse the heart and bring real results. Rituals and sacrifices lead to ordered living, moral purity, and uplifting rewards.
At the same time, the deeper teaching points beyond temporary rewards: spiritual practices are most helpful when they change the heart and reduce attachment to fleeting pleasures. True spiritual aim moves from seeking heaven as a place of comfort to seeking steady union with the Divine and lasting inner peace.
Life Application
- Keep a simple daily practice (prayer, meditation, or a short ritual) to purify intentions and steady the mind rather than chasing rewards.
- Offer your work and small duties as a selfless offering, focusing on doing them well instead of expecting specific outcomes.
- Notice when you seek sense-pleasures as escape; use spiritual discipline to build inner contentment that lasts beyond temporary comforts.
Reflection Question
Are my spiritual actions helping me grow inwardly, or am I mainly chasing temporary rewards?